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Oregon’s land use policy has received many accolades from around the world since it was first incepted over 35 years ago.

But a new study conducted by an Oregon State University geosciences professor has found that it’s still difficult to demonstrate that it has accomplished one of its primary goals – protecting agricultural lands and a thriving forest, farm and ranching industry.

The study, which was conducted by professor Hannah Gosnell, was recently published in the journal .

By creating urban growth boundaries for municipalities, the land use system helps protect farming land outside of it from urban expansion and development. In doing so, the system helps maintain a healthy amount of agricultural production, a major part of Oregon’s economy.

But what the study found is that people are buying up farm land and using it as hobby farms, where the business of farming and forestry is not always the dominant goal.

“What we’ve seen, especially in the last decade or two, is that protecting farm land doesn’t always protect farming,” Gosnell said. “There’s an increasing demand, from people who are willing and able to pay for it, for 80-acre farmettes that may involve some agricultural and forestry activities, but are as much rural estates as they are farms.”

Even when agricultural production isn’t maximized, Gosnell said, these attractive amenity farms still give Oregon a rural beauty that is attractive to people, industy and jobs with the advent of telecommuting.